Background: I have always worked in public safety. I attended the police academy, and I was a firefighter/EMT. Before I came to UDWI REMC, I was a 911 operator and dispatcher for 17 years.

Hobby: I enjoy working with dogs. I’ve trained two of my dogs to perform cadaver searches for a volunteer K9 search-and-rescue team. I also volunteer at my daughter’s 4H club and teach kids how to train dogs in agility and obedience.

How did you start training dogs? I have always loved dogs, especially Australian shepherds. I have a friend who is a police officer and K9 handler who trains her dogs for search and rescue, and she got me into it.

What do you like most about it? Dogs are amazing, loyal animals. The bond created between you and a K9 partner is truly a special experience. Search and rescue is about helping people and serving the community, which I’ve always believed is important and rewarding.

What kind of dogs do you have? Our family has three Australian shepherds. They are known for their high drive and work ethic. Giving them a job such as agility, obedience, or search and rescue keeps them engaged and happy.

Why did you want to work at UDWI REMC? After all my years in public safety, I was ready for a change.

What do you like most about your job at the co-op? My co-workers are great, and working for the co-op allows me to serve my community in a different capacity.

Education: I studied criminology and law enforcement in college and have various certifications.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a neurosurgeon.

One random fact about you or something most people may not know about you: I have helped deliver three babies: two in person and one over the phone.

Do you have a colleague we should get to know better? There are only three requirements to share their story:

• They have been at your co-op one year or less

• They have never worked at an electric co-op before

• They have an interesting hobby (i.e., fly fishing, bee keeping, small business owner, fitness/outdoor enthusiast, singing or playing in a band – the sky's the limit!)

If you or one of your colleagues meet these requirements, we'd love to hear from you. Please send nominations to megan.mcatee@nreca.coop.

Interested in joining the co-op family? Visit NRECA's Cooperative Career Center to search co-op careers.